The pimple that appears at the most inappropriate time is the most bothersome and tiresome thing ever. But what if a pimple remains hidden under the skin instead of erupting on the surface? These are known as “blind pimples.” Although they are undetectable, they can be very painful and create scars.
What exactly is a blind pimple?
A blind pimple is an inflammatory cyst that forms below the skin’s surface. A blind pimple is so deep that it frequently shows no raised bump at all (thus the name), but you will be aware if you have one because of how uncomfortable and painful they are. Depending on your skin tone, blind pimples can occasionally appear slightly red or brown, but most of the time they just feel like a painful knot under your skin.
What triggers a blind pimple?
Blind pimples, like other types of zits, grow as a result of clogged skin pores. Your skin has microscopic holes called pores. They are also known as hair follicles by medical professionals. They may get blocked by
- Bacteria
- Deceased skin cells
- Sebum (Your body creates oil to maintain moisture in your skin)
Sebum and skin cells can accumulate under your skin and cause pus if your body produces too much of it or if you do not clean your skin correctly. It gets trapped and is not able to flee your body through the skin’s surface. A pimple aches and swells as it grows. There are a variety of causes for excess sebum and blocked pores, including:
1. Genetic history:
If your parents did, you are more likely to get breakouts and blind pimples.
2. Change in hormones:
Teenagers going through adolescent growth (puberty) are more likely to develop acne as a result of hormonal changes. The menstrual cycle and pregnancy are the two times when women are most likely to develop pimples.
3. Medicine:
Some medications, like corticosteroids, can either induce or exacerbate blind pimples.
4. Sweating:
Engaging in activities that cause perspiration, particularly when wearing a hat, helmet, or tight clothing, might exacerbate acne.
5. Products for skin care:
Heavy creams and lotions for skin care might clog pores and cause pimples.
6. Stress:
Stress and anxiety increase cortisol production and levels, which lead to breakouts by increasing sebum production. The body creates cortisol, also known as the “stress hormone.”
7. Constantly touching them
Frequent plucking, squeezing, and scraping will not only leave marks but also prevent the pimple from healing fully (and naturally). Blind pimples will result from such action.
8. Cosmetics:
Unfortunately, wearing a lot of cosmetics will clog your pores and prevent them from getting the correct airflow. Sebum, which gets trapped in clogged pores, can build up and lead to an infection known as a “blind pimple.”
How long before a blind pimple disappears?
The trapped inflammation beneath the skin can cause a blind pimple to remain anywhere from a few weeks to many months if left untreated. Do not panic, though; your dermatologist can help it heal more quickly.
However, it does not follow that blind zits cannot disappear on their own. In 40 to 75 percent of cases, blind zits heal on their own.And popping them will not speed up the healing process; instead, it will just cause more problems, make the pimple bigger and deeper, and leave scars from the previous inflammation.
It is important to keep in mind that the longer an inflammatory bump remains on your face, the more long-term harm it may cause to the underlying tissue. A blind pimple left untreated is “more likely to develop an atrophic scar, which is an icepick scar or looks like a pigmentation. But, visiting a dermatologist who can provide a cortisone shot for the pimple can reduce the recovery period from a few months to less than a week.
Why are blind zits so uncomfortable?
A blind pimple really hurts, and the inflammation deep beneath your skin is to blame. The quick development of pus creates a pressure buildup in the cyst that activates sensory receptors in your skin and causes pain.
A blind pimple may hurt worse than a typical pimple on the skin for the following reasons:
- A typical zit would be on the skin’s surface, farthest from your nerves. A blind pimple can be quite painful because it is deeply embedded beneath the skin, is close to your nerves, and is highly inflamed.
- These pimples lack an opening that would allow the pus to drain from the surface, which results in a buildup of pressure inside the pimple that makes it extremely irritating.
- Additionally, because blind pimples are larger than any other kind of pimple, they hurt more.
- Headaches and muscle aches can develop as a result of a blind pimple attacking your skin.
Preventing Blind Zits
Better skincare and cleanliness practises are the best ways to prevent blind zits. Although bad hygiene is not the cause of cystic acne, it can aggravate pimples if you continue to wear wet clothes or neglect to wash your face. Keep the following in mind:
- After working out or on a hot day, wash your face twice a day and take a shower.
- Choose products free of alcohol and comedogenic substances. When cleansing, use your fingertips and wash in circular strokes.
- Be careful not to touch, scrape, pick, or squeeze pimples when you have them. If you do, it will take longer for your skin to clean up, and you run a higher chance of developing acne scars.
- Wear sun-protective clothing, hats, and sunscreen.
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